Health Q & A

 

Doctor WrightQuestions and Answers with Dr James Wright
It started with newspaper stories, then his famous "Q and A" series which still continues. This covered a massive range of everyday health issues, with simple, often low cost remedies, or lifestyle modifications.
He wrote the "weight loss diets" for "Womans Day"? for many years, which led to the "Mike Walsh Show". This Australia wide television series, under various names lasted for 25 years, and Dr Wright remained the resident doctor throughout. He still does occasional cameo bits, but believes the governments PBS awareness commercials which he anchored, were his best achievement.



LUNG CANCER:
Q: I am 43 and my mother died from lung cancer at 73. This had spread from breast cancer at an earlier age. Where do I stand?
 
A: This is a very common story, and you stand in a particularly vulnerable position. It is highly likely you have inherited the BrCa-1 or -2 gene, which greatly increases risks. (Tests for this are available). However, regular mammograms are essential, and probably ultrasounds at your age. Chest films are also suggested. Ideally seek referral to a menopause clinic for special guidance. Here they will also give you general advice on hormonal intake. Excellent clinics exist in certain capital city womens hospitals.
 


 
COUGH:
Q: I did a clean out of the cupboards recently, and have been coughing ever since. And sneezing too!
 
A: Cupboards harbour an amazing number of “allergens”. This ranges from moulds, probably grown on any leather product, to the massive heap of clothing, combined with sweat, superficial skin cells, and dead house dust mites. What a nasty combination. A clean out and good sunning (if possible) every year is a good idea. Your symptoms are probably allergy induced. Tilade (nedocramil) oral spray, say two puffs 2-3 times a day is excellent. It is harmless, and breathed deeply into the lungs, can ease reactions, including cough and sneezing. The non sedating antihistamines are also helpful. Cough mixtures are useless. Drink lots of tap water.
 
 
 
 
WATER:
Q: We are continually advised to drink lots of water specially in summer. But what sort is best?
 
A: Tap water is best. Don’t waste money on filtered or mineral or imported ones. In my view they are no better, and costly. A company in New York now sells “New York Bottled Tap Water?” and is doing a roaring trade! It is simply bottled tap water, and everyone thinks it is trendy. Complete nuts. Most capital cities in Australia have an abundance of clean drinking water. Room temperature is best.
 
 

 
SALT:
Q: Can we eat too much or too little salt?
 
A: The body must have some salt so the electrical circuits of the body operate smoothly. Too much is bad news, as it also tends to increase blood pressure. In a normal diet, with fruit and veggies, nuts, berries, legumes, lean meat and fish, we get an adequate supply. Maybe add a pinch when cooking, but do not add any more at the table. This is a long term commonsense rule of thumb.
 
 

 
FATTY ACIDS:
Q: We continually hear about omega-3 fatty acids, but how important are they?
 
A: Vital, specially in pregnant women. If in undersupply, it will be dragged from mums brain for the developing brain in the fetus. Thus, mum may develop a deficiency, now known as the most common cause of post natal depression, and its bitter consequences. Pregnant mums should eat fish at least three times a week. The brain is 65% fatty acids, so are a vital part of the brain and its systems. Some take omega-3 fish oils, but at east 6 x 1000 mg a day is the minimum to be of any value. One a day is useless.